The train just keeps on rolling: This morning, a federal judge in Indiana determined that the state’s same-sex marriage ban is unconstitutional, and couples in the state have already begun marrying.
Amy Sandler and Niki Quasney sued Indiana for recognition of their marriage, performed in Massachusetts last year. They were granted immediate relief so Quasney, who is terminally ill, could receive a proper death certificate recognizing her family. The appeal for their case brought about today’s ruling.
via Lambda Legal
The ruling comes after the appeal of an earlier decision to recognize the Massachusetts marriage between Amy Sandler and Niki Quasney, who is terminally ill, after that couple and four others sued the state to challenge its marriage ban. During the appeals process, both the state and Lambda Legal, who represented the couples, asked that U.S. District Judge Richard Young decide not just on Sandler and Quasney’s marriage but on the wider issue of same-sex marriage in Indiana. In his ruling, Young rejected the state’s defense of its ban and acknowledged the harm done to same-sex couples when they are not allowed to marry.
“These couples, when gender and sexual orientation are taken away, are in all respects like the family down the street,” he said. “The Constitution demands that we treat them as such.”
The state is expected to appeal Young’s decision, so we may see a stay on marriages like the one issued in Arkansas last month. Indiana lawmakers have also planned a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage as early as 2016. However, as Young noted in his decision, courts across the country have spent the last year recognizing marriage as a fundamental right for same-sex couples, with no real signs of stopping:
The court has never witnessed a phenomenon throughout the federal court system as is presented with this issue. In less than a year, every federal district court to consider the issue has reached the same conclusion in thoughtful and thorough opinions – laws prohibiting the celebration and recognition of same-sex marriages are unconstitutional. It is clear that the fundamental right to marry shall not be deprived to some individuals based solely on the person they choose to love.
Yes!!!! What a great day!
Now Missouri just needs to come around as well….
(Hello, I’m new here!)
I agree! Come on, Missouri! Where do you live in MO? I’m in KC!
I’m in STL! Well, the suburbs. Unfortunately, the amount of people actually the city drops every year :/ It’s actually a very neat place, too, so it’s a shame all the revamping efforts never quite latch on.
Welcome, Claire! I lived in Missouri for a while when I was younger, and I also hope that it will soon live up to the MO pride I’ve repped since then.
I’ve lived in Indiana all my life and I honestly thought we would be one of the last states.
I thought only some drastic measure done through the executive branch would grant my state marriage equality.
I thought it possible it wouldn’t happen in my lifetime.
I have never been happier about being wrong.
Ditto everything you said. My job dropped when I heard this news. I’m so happy with my homestate right now.
My thoughts exactly. I’m also from Indiana, and I figured we’d be one of the last. I guess I also figured it wouldn’t come for another 5-10 years or so. I genuinely felt shock when I heard the news. I’ve never had an interest in getting married, but I’ve always wanted the option. I just assumed that wouldn’t come from Indiana. It’s wild.
Hurray! Congratulations, Indianians!
I was sure Utah would be the last state ever but we joined the party today too!
Really and you feel proud as to me you are all the haters….. Mike Pence can have any religious conviction and in America express that. You are the only haters who have your dying wife fighting to the end. Who the ef cares what you do in your home but leave it there. You do not see married straight people running around demanding their rights when one of the parties cheats. You dod not see the celebate run around demanding their way or saying people hate cuz of their opinions. In fact they all keep their mouths shut cuz their sex life is private, married or not it is their choice. Tell me why you demanders and haters project your hate on others….. Who cares????? HOwever I much rather support people who speak up on thier beliefs than those who are proud cuz they so called came out of the closet. All of us no matter what who value our sex life keep it special and private. What is wrong with whoever you are demanding your rights that you made up. follow the damn constitution and let people do what they want but keep your effing sex life private. You do not deserve anything more than anyone else by your choices. Stupid IQ’s
You must get dizzy riding around all day on that rollercoaster of loopy logic
No no, mind over matter.
The rollercoaster is going in a straight line just like a chu-chu.
There is no dizzy.
ONLY STRAIGHT RULE.